Men Don't Leave (1990)

TOMATOMETER

81%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

60%

Want to See

Not Interested

Add Rating
My Rating    

Men Don't Leave Photos

View All Photos (1)

Movie Info

Weighed down by her late husband's debts, widow Beth Macauley (Jessica Lange) is compelled to sell her home and move to a less costly locale. She relocates in Baltimore with her resentful sons Chris (Chris O'Donnell) and Matt (Charlie Korsmo) and takes a job at a ramshackle gourmet food store managed by Lisa Coleman (Kathy Bates). Men Don't Leave offers in Beth an extremely vulnerable, easily discouraged person who can't seem to get a grip on her reduced circumstances. Even so, she and her sons eventually pull themselves together, despite many side trips with Wrong Lovers and False Friends. Some of the film's best moments involve Joan Cusack, playing a mixed-up nurse with whom Chris falls in love. Representing the comeback of director Paul Brickman after a seven-year gap, Men Don't Leave is a slightly more upbeat American version of the French film La Vie Continue. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Watch it now

Cast

Jessica Lange
as Beth
Chris O'Donnell
as Chris
Charlie Korsmo
as Matt
Arliss Howard
as Charles
Joan Cusack
as Jody
Tom Mason
as John
Kathy Bates
as Lisa
Corey Carrier
as Winston
Jim Haynie
as Buckley
Belita Moreno
as Mrs. Buckley
Shannon Moffett
as Dale Buckley
Kevin Corrigan
as Mike
David Cale
as Fred
Constance Shulman
as Carly
Ricardo de Angelis
as Tailor
Mark Hardwick
as Ian
Ernesto D. Borges Jr.
as Officer
Lora Zane
as Nina Simon
Rick Rubin
as Craig
Tom Towles
as Evan Taylor
Richard Wharton
as Nick
Rosemary Knower
as Nurse
Jane Morris
as Laura
Annabel Armour
as Susan
Deanna Dunagan
as Fay
Tom Irwin
as Gary
Stacey Guastaferro
as Julia
Jesse James
as Blues Artist
Richard Burton Brown
as Sam Burrows
Mary Seibel
as Real Estate Agent
Robert D. North
as Moving Man
Stesha Merle
as Girl Student
William DeAcutis
as Mark
Ann McDonough
as Female Customer
Theresa Wozniak
as Female Polka Dancer
Sandra V. Watters
as Bureaucrat
Zaid Farid
as Store Clerk
Wandachristine
as School Teacher
Richard DeAngelis
as Tailor
Peter Miller
as Chris' Friend
Gerry Becker
as Uncle Hugh
Dick Sasso
as Lottery Winner
Chuck McLennan
as Lottery Announcer
Eddie Korosa
as Polka Band Leader
Antonio M. Calderon
as Joey
Alan J. Wendl
as Typewriter
Seka
as Adult Film Star
Tanl
as Adult Film Star
Brad Michael Gilbert
as Adult Film Star
View All

Critic Reviews for Men Don't Leave

All Critics (16) | Top Critics (3)

Performances to die for

Mar 11, 2006 | Rating: 3/5
Moviehole

Watching the suffering, growth, and personal renewal of these likeable characters we gain a fresh perspective on our primal feelings about the family circle.

Aug 18, 2004 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Spirituality and Practice

Unexpectedly vivid; great work by Lange and Cusack.

Oct 16, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Movie Mom

O'Donnell impresses but, surprisingly enough, Lange drags things down to a place where only a formula finish can end things without the audience throwing fruit.

May 19, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…
eFilmCritic.com

One of the most unjustly underappreciated films of the 1990s; wonderfully acted

Nov 14, 2002 | Rating: 5/5
Kalamazoo Gazette

A minor note classic

Jul 26, 2002 | Rating: 5/5
Hot Button
View All Critic Reviews (16)

Audience Reviews for Men Don't Leave

If you like family drama, watch 'Men Don't Leave'. A family is thrown into turmoil when the husband dies unexpectedly. In an effort to deal with their circumstances, Beth and her sons find different supports, but eventually find out that family is needed to pull themselves together.

Red Lats
Red Lats

Super Reviewer

View All Audience Reviews

Men Don't Leave Quotes

View All Quotes

News & Features

More News & Features